I tested the top MacBook alternatives: See which Windows PCs actually beat Apple

In July 2026, a reporter conducted extensive testing of various Windows laptops and Chromebooks to find the top alternatives to Apple's MacBook lineup. The report highlighted several laptops that outperformed the MacBook Air (M5) and MacBook Pro (M5) in performance, battery life, and design.

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 emerged as the best MacBook Neo alternative, surpassing the sold-out Acer Aspire 16 AI. It boasts an impressive 40-hour battery life and replaced its predecessor in the rankings. The Dell XPS 14 also became a strong contender for the MacBook Pro alternative, despite its premium price after Apple adjusted its pricing strategy.

The Asus Zenbook A14 continued to impress with its multi-core performance, making it the best MacBook Pro alternative for users requiring intensive computing power. However, the Asus ProArt GoPro Edition, a rugged convertible design, was noted as expensive at $2,999.99 and featured a 60Hz display, which was a downside for premium creators.

The Acer Swift X 14 stood out as the best MacBook Pro alternative for users needing discrete graphics capabilities. The Asus ExpertBook Ultra was added to the list of top picks, replacing a previously tested model due to build quality concerns. The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 was also recommended as a strong MacBook Air alternative, but its performance was considered mediocre compared to the latest MacBook Air.

Notable contenders like the Asus ProArt GoPro Edition, Acer Swift Edge 14 AI, and Framework Laptop 13 Pro were mentioned as potential future options. The report cautioned readers about the limitations of ARM-based Windows laptops, such as the Asus Zenbook A14, Zenbook A16, and HP OmniBook Ultra 14, which run on Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 series chips and lack compatibility with certain software and games.